Vince Carter

This 6-6 208 pound junior was drafted out of UNC with the number five pick in the 1998 draft by the Golden State Warriors. Vince's draft rights were immediately traded to the Raptors, even though the Warriors liked him along with cash for Antawn Jamison. He is the best athlete in the draft and will be exciting to watch, making an immediate impact. Two UNC players are top 5 again! Vince and Antawn seem to always be together....here we go again. There is little doubt that Vince will be the best player in his draft class. He signed a four year contract worth 7.86 million dollars, with the fourth year at the team's option.

As a rookie, he broke into the starting lineup for the Raptors and averaged almost 16 points a game. The NBA named Vince as Rookie of the Month for March after he averaged 18.4 points and 6.0 rebounds as Toronto went 11-6 in the month, being over the .500 mark for the latest in the season in team history. Vince won the Rookie of the Year Award in a landslide over Pierce and Jason Williams with 113 out of a possible 118 votes. He was named as an all-star starter in 2000, as the first Raptor to ever appear in the game. He also led all players in voting, receiving 1,911,973 votes. He was also a starter from 2001-2005 and the leading vote getter from 2001-2004 as well. Alonzo Mourning had the second most votes with 1,878,588. In 2000, Vince was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He moved on up to the All-NBA Second Team in 2001. Maybe the First Team next year? Vince was also named to the USA Basketball 2000 Men's Olympic Team after Tom Gugliota had to bow out. On August 1, 2001 Toronto signed Vince Carter to a 6 year, over $85 million contract extension. On December 17, 2004, Toronto traded Vince to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first round draft picks. On July 14, 2997 New Jersey re-signed Vince Carter to a four year, $61.8 million contract with a fifth year at the team's option.